Chris Sutton mocks what people say about Rangers ace Rabbi Matondo live on Sky Sports
Chris Sutton has downplayed claims of a Rabbi Matondo resurgence at Rangers, suggesting it is a “stretch”.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Main Event (3 September, 11:12 am), the ex-Celtic player mocked the idea that Matondo was in the midst of a career resurrection, with a goal and an assist in five Rangers appearances.
The 22-year-old was selected to start by Michael Beale in the Gers’ first Old Firm showdown of the season, which ended in a 1-0 loss, but will need more consistent form to impress Sutton.
When Sky Sports presenter Eilidh Barbour asked Sutton about Matondo’s resurgence, he retorted: “I’d hardly call it a resurgence. I think that’s a stretch. That’s a bit like the ‘bragging rights’ last season.”
More time needed
Not many expected Matondo to be such a key player in the early stages of the season, but his good pre-season and excellent form so far in the campaign have been rewarded with more regular starts under Beale.
Matondo has made five appearances so far this season, making two starts and three substitute appearances, the most significant of which being against PSV in the first leg of UCL qualification where he put the Gers ahead in the second half.
Last season, the forward struggled to cement himself a place as a regular starter, while an injury in January left him out of the squad for a number of weeks.
With the influx of attacking talent, even the most keen observers would have been questioned if they predicted such a resurgence.
But Sutton questions the use of the word “resurgence”, and perhaps it is slightly too early to suggest Matondo is a brand new player. Rangers’ form has been up and down so far this season, but Matondo has been a standout across his appearances.
After his important goal against PSV, Beale challenged him to maintain his form. He said, as quoted by Rangers Review (22 August), Beale said: “His start to the season had been good. It’s a tough old shirt to wear at times. That will do him the world of good tonight. He’s taken an opportunity. Can he do it consistently for us?”
Matondo will have latched onto Beale’s plea and will hope to prove Sutton wrong over the course of the season.
In other Rangers news, Stephen McGowan has downplayed the significance of the Gers’ busy transfer window.